What is Working Capital?

In technical terms, working capital is a sum left after subtracting current liabilities from current assets. On the other hand, in the layman language, working capital is often pronounced as an operational capital. Working capital of any business can give you an insight into the company’s financial standing.

Current Assets – Current Liabilities = Working Capital

Current Asset is an asset that turns into cash at the end of the coming fiscal year. Current liabilities cover any debt that an owner has to pay in the coming 12 months.

If your current assets are greater than the current liabilities, you have positive working capital. This means you can invest in as many future projects you want and increase the worth of your business.

On the other hand, if current liabilities are greater than the current assets, you have negative working capital. Apply for a working capital loan to fill the difference.

This loan can act as a temporary fix for your short-term financial instability. It provides excessive access to funds to cover inventory purchases, payroll, and daily financially dependent tasks.

How to calculate the required amount of Working Capital?

Don’t shoot blindly; don’t apply for a loan before considering the real amount you need as working capital. Usually, business owners look for enough money that will cover their daily operation costs, pay the existing debts, and can aid in covering the expenses of a new project.

The question is: How does one know his/her required working capital amount?

There is a simple way to find the working capital ratio, just put the numbers in the following equation.

Working Capital Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities

According to experts and researchers, the ideal value of the working capital ratio lies between 1.2 and 2.0. If the working capital ratio is below 1.2, you need help from Merchant Advisors’ funding.

But if the working capital ratio comes out to be above 2.0, it an alarming situation. This figure calls for future investments.

So, find out where you stand and take the necessary steps.

Reasons to apply for a Working Capital

Working Capital is a nutrient for your small business; business managers use it to carry daily operations. With an insufficient working capital, it would be hard to manage a business in a streamlined manner.

Working capital is required to run a business. Every business, be it a construction business or a barber shop business, it will become dysfunctional without adequate working capital.

One can utilize the funds from a small business capital loan in innumerable ways:

Keep the cash flow train running

The financial deadlines don’t wait for the pending invoices to get cleared so as an owner, you can make payments on time. A working capital loan can help you manage your business when your business has some pending invoices. A loan can help you remove all the caused by the inconsistent cash flow.

Control over unexpected cyclic sales variations

Despite the authenticity of sales predictions, a surprising turn of events is inevitable. So, if your business hasn’t generated enough profit per your estimation, working capital financing can bridge the financial gap. Moreover, if the nature of your business is seasonal, this loan can provide the funds to you when the sales are steep. For example, if your business earns a noticeable profit in the Halloween or Christmas season, you need adequate funds to last the rest of the term. So, a short-term capital loan will be your source of money in the off-season.

Grow your new-born business

There is no denying the hardships a business owner faces when taking a step in a new venture. The traditional loans are hard to land hands on! In addition to this, these lenders have a rigorous chain of prerequisites that might be hard for startup businesses to pass.

Luckily, Merchant Advisors provide small business capital loans to small business owners stepping into this industry for the first time. Use the money to pay the salaries of your dedicated employees, purchase accessories to keep the shelves stacked and take on new projects to certify the business growth.

Say ‘yes’ to new projects

Usually, business owners are reluctant to take up new projects because they are running low on the working capital. As a result, the growth and expansion of business are affected.

The loan offers you enough funds to buy updated tools needed to embark on new projects. Allows you to invest in your employees’ training as well to keep them informed regarding current business trends.

Save for a rainy day.

Life is uncertain; there is no debate in that – business is no different! Business owners should prepare for everything that life throws at them. We, Merchant Advisors, have comprehended every possible outcome and thus we offer capital financing, in case your biggest client leaves you, or you get a bankruptcy notice.

We pray you don’t have to face any misfortune, but know that we have your back.

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Types of Working Capital Loan

One can generate enough revenue and earn enough profit if one has time until the end of the world. But this doesn’t happen in the real world, if you are not moving with enough pace, then you and your business will become obsolete.

So, here we have documented a few types of loans suited perfectly well for every kind of the business. Especially if you run a seasonal business, then a working capital financing can benefit you the most. Before making a final decision, do your research to find the loan to carry out daily operations in a proper fashion.

Short-Term Loans

If your business is under a temporary financial crisis, the short-term loan can pay enough working capital for payrolls and necessary purchases. These loans are easy to qualify for even if you have a poor credit score, or haven’t been running a business for that long.

A Short-Term loan allows the borrower to get the decided payment in one time – a lump sum. And it’s to be paid back in full over a limited period time, usually in 12 months. With a ‘good’ personal and business credit score, you can get approved without providing any collateral.
Lines of Credit

The interest is only applicable on the amount you have withdrawn, in most of the cases it falls around 1-2%. A Line of Credit puts the wheel in the borrower’s hand, as a borrower you can take out as much money as you need and whenever you need.

A stream of cash flow acts as a buffer in the hour of financial struggle. If you find it hard to make a rough estimate of how much money you need to solve your financial troubles, apply for the Working Capital Lines of Capital.
SBA Loans

A Small Business Administration (SBA) loan can change the entire fate of your business. Its qualification process is a bit meticulous, therefore low credit businesses fail to qualify. But if you have a stellar credit score apply for an SBA Loan, you can have the loan ranging from $5,000 to $5 million.
Invoice Financing

Invoice Financing is for the business owners who are tired of waiting for their customers to clear their pending invoices. Unpaid invoices disrupt the cash flow and prevent business owners from investing in A small business administration loan can change the entire fate of your business. Its qualification process is a bit meticulous, therefore low credit businesses fail to qualify for new projects.

Here, the lenders will take a hold of your unpaid invoices and will pay you accordingly. So, if slow paying customers are bothering, invoice financing can be your way out.
Merchant Cash Advance

Merchant Advisors’ Merchant Cash Advance works like a credit card; the lender will take a bit of money out of your credit card sales. If your sales are fluctuating, and you are worried about not making the payment on time, a Merchant Cash Advance will suit you.

The approval process of a Merchant Cash Advance is easy, but it is among the most expensive funding options.

Comparison of Compatible Working Capital Loans

Merchant Advisors care for its clients, so we have jotted down the comparison of the APR and eligibility criteria of 5 types of working capital loan.

Short-Term Loans

APR: 6-99%
Eligibility Criteria: 3 months in business, consistent cash flow, and poor credit score is acceptable
Lines of Credit

APR: 7 – 65%
Eligibility Criteria: 500+ personal credit score, and at least 1 years in business.
SBA Loan

APR: 6 – 11%
Eligibility Criteria: 660+ credit loans, and at least 2 years in business.
Invoice Financing

APR: 1 – 6%
Eligibility Criteria: Available unpaid customers’ invoices
Merchant Cash Advance

APR: 1.15 – 1.20
Eligibility Criteria: 6 months in business, and 4 months of credit card statement.

Questions to ask before for a Working Capital Loan

Money is a fickle necessity; borrowing money from alternative and traditional lenders requires proper consideration. Just like any major decision of life demands some homework; you should do enough research before applying for a loan. We have jotted down the essential questions you should ask your lender so that you can take a calculated risk.

Is applying for a business loan my last reserve?

A business loan isn’t something that you should take lightly, before applying for a business loan, make sure you have exhausted every other option. You should try to hold yourself back from making unnecessary purchases.

Refrain from spending money on products that are not in demand. Once you have experimented with the said options; and no improvement is evident, then you should apply for a business loan.
What are your plans after you get the money?

An alternative lender will not give you the money without looking at your business. So be clear and devise a realistic plan to spend money on your business.

Execute a proper expansion plan if a business needs a loan for expansion. Use the funds wisely to stock up on inventory. Be aware of your financial needs, and apply for a Working Capital Loan to carry out daily tasks with ease.
Remember the goal: the betterment of financial standings. Will the loan get you out of a financial crisis?

Applying for the loan, utilizing the funds, and making repayments on time demands consideration and dedication. Your credit score will be severely damaged if you fail to make repayments on time.

So, before you make the final decision ask yourself: Is it worth it? Can your business generate enough money with the help of the business loans to pay the debt in time?
What is the total cost of the loan?

Do you know all the rates and fees involved in the loan? We suggest you ask your lender about the obligation fee, hidden costs, factor fee, APR, application fee, and many apart from these.

At Merchant Advisors help from a dedicated financial advisor is available, with his/her assistance, you can assess your current financial standings and find the suitable loan.

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Working Capital Loans: Best Options in 2019

There are ample alternative lenders available in the market, making it quite easy to find an appropriate loan for your business.

We value your hard work, so here we have generated a list of loans suitable for small retail businesses, mega-scale businesses, and B2B businesses.

If you want a loan that can cater to the highs and lows caused by seasonal fluctuations, many alternative lenders offer working capital loans for small business retail.

On Deck

On Deck has been in the lending business for so long, it is familiar with the needs and requirements of the small business owners. Its flexible payment terms have left a noticeable mark among its followers, and since its birth, it has helped a significant number of business owners.

On Deck believes in the fast lending and funding, you can get a sizeable amount of money for the loan.

On Deck offers Short-term business loans and Lines of credit to help with the ongoing daily operations on financial metrics. If you have a fair credit score and business is generating enough annual revenue and profit, the chances of loan approval are high.

Kabbage

Kabbage overlooks ‘bad’ credit score if the business over is determined and has a strategic business plan. It offers lines of credit with flexible payments, making it popular among its users. One can make payments on own terms – on a weekly or monthly basis.

Kabbage offers lines of credit, and their flexible payments are the reason they are popular among their users. You can pay them on your own terms; on a weekly and monthly basis.

Blue Vine

Blue Vine provides an easy and affordable loan in terms of lines of credit and invoice financing. You can choose between these two or go with the both to bridge the gap between financial crisis and growth.

Depending on your financial need pick the one where you can have access to money in one go or with the other loan where you can have access to the revolving credit till you run out of the decided amount.

FundBox

Fundbox is an excellent choice if you are running a B2B business and are tired of slow-paying customers. Fundbox offers lines of credit and invoice financing with flexible payments terms and rapid funding.

To qualify for the loan, provide a balance sheet and a good credit score to the lender.

American Express Merchant Financing

These offers are exclusively for American Express credit card users, AMEX will offer a lump sum of money to the borrower. You can repay the amount from your credit card transactions.

As you can see, the market provides various financing options, so that you can deal with the lack of funds with ease.

Working Capital Financing – A Perfect Financial Fix

From the financial crisis caused by lack of unpaid customers’ invoices to the lack of money generated because of the dips in the seasonal sale, the working capital can help fix any financial crisis.

Compare the rates and interests of the most compatible loans to find the best solution for your small business.

Merchant Advisors is determined to provide fast track funding and loan approval by keeping the demands and nature of business in mind. The working capital loan lenders don't ask for collateral, so the APR and interest rate will be a bit higher.

Lastly, contact an expert at Merchant Advisor and get as many quotes as you want till you are satisfied.

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